A Few Hopscotch Show Previews Including Fucked Up, Future Islands and Bowerbirds

The lineup for the Indy Week’s Hopscotch Music Festival was announced back in March and then added to in May. While the lineup is fantastic, some folks have been screaming to hear who is playing when, where and with which other bands.

Of course we know who will play the big City Plaza shows and a little hint of a show was mentioned in the last lineup announcement with 9th Wonder and Raekwon putting on a show together on Friday, Sept. 10, at Lincoln Theatre. Nearly a dozen local groups will join that bill, including Actual Proof, The Away Team, Big Remo, Kaze, K-Hill, Rapsody, The Remix Project, Skyzoo and Tyler Woods. The full announcement on all of the show times, locations and bands will come in a few weeks, but until then, we have a few shows to announce for you, both at Berkeley Cafe on Martin Street.

On Thursday night (Sept 9th), the Future Islands curated show will feature a handful of up and coming electronic artists including Pictureplane, Double Dagger, Ear Pwr and Javelin (who are signed to David Byrne’s world-music Luaka Bop label). Future Islands shows are typically sweat filled dance parties at Berkeley Cafe and this one will be no exception, especially with Pictureplane’s raw jungle beats and the bubblegum electro-pop of Ear Pwr, while Double Dagger should shift those dance moves into an aggressive punk strut.

Friday (Sept 10th) brings the noise back to Berkeley, something it is well known for. Between Fucked Up, Harvey Milk, Double Negative and Whatever Brains, I’m quite sure that either A: Berkeley may have to repair some furniture and walls or B: you may head down to the ear doctor on Saturday for some repair yourself. Local noise engineers Whatever Brains will be playing the night before at Local Beer, Local Band at Tir Na Nog as well.

Also, according to MyNC, Friday September 10th will also feature a showcase at The Pour House with Bowerbirds and Ryan Gustafson as well as Merge recording artist Richard Buckner and Brooklyn’s Sharon Van Etten.

These are only a tease of some of the amazing shows that will happen in those few (whirlwind) days in September. Each night will be a challenging choice considering all of the talent that will be packed all of the downtown venues.

Shows will all start around the same time or after the City Plaza shows end. All of these shows will be festival passes only so jump over to the Hopscotch website and grab one.

Have to agree Jorge. I just listened to Pictureplane’s demo from the Hopscotch site. Wouldn’t call that jungle at all. It’s EDM but has none of the hallmarks of jungle. I’d maybe say it’s kinda dubsteppy at best.

On a side note, decided to check out the Hopscotch lineup, read some descriptions, listen to some songs. When did it become standard for band reviewers to write such god-awful dreck? How in the world are you supposed to figure out what these bands are like? One quote: “Live, Bellafea’s committed trio bristles and trembles. They bridge their own contradictions, deriving joy from painful memories, and spinning action from anxiety. “

WTF? How about, “interesting music, great live show!” or “low-key, grab a beer and sit back and enjoy”, or even “they suck”. I challenge every single one of you to pick a random band on the list, read the review, and not want to stab the reviewer in the eye. For all you reviewers, please wear a badge at Hopscotch saying “I reviewed this band”, so that I can kick you in the shin. Thanks!